This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19386362#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tropical Storm Isaac: Florida braced for lashing Tropical Storm Isaac heads to Florida
(about 3 hours later)
People in southern Florida have been making final preparations for Tropical Storm Isaac, as it barrels to the US. People in southern Florida have been feeling the first effects of Tropical Storm Isaac as it barrels to the US.
Hundreds of flights and sailings have been cancelled, high winds have already caused power cuts and oil rigs are facing possible closures. Isaac is close to the Florida Keys and may be hurricane force when it sweeps across on Sunday evening.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and oil and gas production are affected by a storm that has already killed at least six people in Haiti.
The Republican Party has been forced to delay by a day the start of its national convention in Tampa.
Other US states are also on alert as forecasters warn that Isaac could strengthen further.Other US states are also on alert as forecasters warn that Isaac could strengthen further.
The storm has already caused havoc in the Caribbean, killing at least six in Haiti and bringing floods to Cuba. Oil output cut
Convention delayed The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that at 18:00 GMT on Sunday, Isaac was 50 miles (80km) south-south-east of Key West and was moving west-north-west at 18mph (30km/h).
The National Hurricane Center said the storm was moving at about 20mph (30km/h) towards Florida's southern tip, and was expected to begin battering the coastline during the day on Sunday. The storm was packing winds of about 60mph, the NHC said.
It was packing sustained winds of 65mph. Fed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico , Isaac is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105mph before it makes landfall.
Residents of the Florida Keys, a thin island chain connected to the mainland by a single road, have been driving north all weekend. The timing and place of landfall is uncertain, but it could be midweek around the Florida-Louisiana border.
They are well-used to the ritual of storm preparation, and many have boarded up their homes and businesses in preparation. There is also a chance it may hit New Orleans on the seventh anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina.
A few bars and restaurants stayed open late on Saturday to serve small groups of tourists and locals willing to risk the storm. Isaac is also a large storm - it could bring significant damage to areas within 200 miles of its centre.
"We'll just catch every place that's open," holidaymaker Ted Lamarche told the AP news agency. The Florida Keys are already experiencing rain and strong winds.
Hurricane watches were put in place along the coastlines of western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and south-eastern Louisiana. Residents have boarded up windows and put down sandbags.
Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency to make sure emergency services would be ready when the storm hit. A steady stream of cars has carried people north along the sole road linking the Keys to the Florida mainland.
The Republican Party has been forced to delay the start of its national convention in the western Florida city of Tampa because of the storm. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in and out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other southern Florida airports.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Tampa, says the eye of the storm is forecast to hit the US coastline further north, but with its effects felt up to 230 miles away, Tampa is expecting a soaking and powerful winds. Power cuts have affected communities from Key West to Fort Lauderdale, hitting more than 6,000 customers.
The Republican party, which is due to formally nominate Mitt Romney as its presidential candidate during the meeting, said the convention would begin on Tuesday, a day later than planned. The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement says about 24% of the Gulf of Mexico's oil production and 8% of its gas output have been shut off as a precaution.
Hurricane watches have been put in place along the coastlines of western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and south-eastern Louisiana.
Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency there to make sure emergency services would be ready when the storm hit.
The Republican party has postponed until Tuesday the opening of the convention that will formally nominate Mitt Romney as its presidential candidate
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, in Tampa, says the eye of the storm is forecast to hit the US coastline further north, but given the size of the storm, Tampa is expecting a soaking and powerful winds.
The storm has already caused havoc in the Caribbean, bringing death and considerable damage to Haiti, and floods and downed power lines to Cuba.
Three people were missing in the Dominican Republic, officials said, including the mayor of a town near Santo Domingo.
Are you affected by Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Florida? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you affected by Tropical Storm Isaac? Are you in Florida? Please get in touch using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions